In these artworks, Megan and Cassandra reflect on the challenges of single motherhood and poverty that Land describes in Maid. In "The Weight of Words," Megan includes both positive and negative words, "emphasiz[ing] what a single mother in poverty has to deal with on a daily basis," while also honoring Land's "ability to persevere despite terrible odds." Cassandra's artwork invokes the never-ending pressure to work that Land experienced, as she was "constantly and constantly needing work to survive."
Bootstraps [Excerpt]
They tell me to pull myself up.
Work harder.
Do better.
Pull.
Ten dollars is life or death
for my daughter, I see her breath
fogging up the window.
sick, but nowhere else to go.
Work harder.
Do better.
Pull.
In "Exhaustion," an anonymous student reflects on Land's experience as a single mother and student, writing, "While I can relate to the emotions in my drawing from being overwhelmed with schoolwork, I could not imagine her exhaustion from working, being a single mom, and studying." In his poem, "Bootstraps," Cameron Green writes from Land's perspective, asking, "How is anyone in this system supposed to survive?"
Women Against Poverty
Woman versus the world
Motivated by her daughter.
She must provide in order to thrive.
Never give up.
Betrayal, strength, effort.
Abuse, flawed government, poverty.
In her artwork "Dropping the Ball," Kayla reflects on the struggles Land experienced applying to government assistance programs for food, housing, childcare, and college. Kayla portrays "an eagle (representing the American government) fumbling and failing to carry the various logos of assistance programs mentioned by Land." She explains, "Land conveys a strong message that the American people and government need to invest greater effort into understanding and improving public assistance programs." In her poem, "Women Against Poverty," Abigail Aniunas deals with similar themes of government failures to address systemic poverty.
In "Tornado of Doubts," an anonymous student shows "a physical demonstration of the emotions and goals that fuel [Land's] journey as opposed to the harmful opinions of others that she deals with." On the right, Sophia recognizes the systemic nature of the problems Land encounters in Maid, writing "I wanted to express the sheer size of the poverty crisis in America, how many are affected, and how it’s because the people in power are purposefully making it so these people have to suffer with seemingly no end for their own personal gain."
These drawings of mothers and babies by Anna Klein and Samantha reflect the deep love that Land had for her daughter as she navigated single motherhood.
